City of San Jose, Environmental Services

Description

As the tenth largest city in the nation, San Jose established a national reputation for environmental leadership and innovation during the 1980s with award-winning recycling, water conservation, and wastewater treatment programs. In 1993, the Environmental Services Department (ESD) was formed to integrate these programs and other environmental protection services.

ESD helps San Jose to respond quickly to new regulations and initiatives, and to retool and improve customer services such as garbage and recycling collection, wastewater treatment, and the sale of potable and recycled water. With over 400 employees and an annual budget of $124 million, ESD is one of the City's largest and most visible departments. Among its major initiatives are to provide:

• Healthy streams, rivers, marshlands and Bay waters;
• Reliable water, garbage, and recycling services;
• Clean and green air, land and energy policy development; and
• Community education aimed at environmental sustainability